Percentage

PercentagePercent means for every 100So, when percent is calculated for any value, it means that we calculate the value for every 100 of the reference value.

percent is denoted by the symbol %. For example, x percent is denoted by x%

x%=x/100Example : 25%=25/100=1/4

To express x/y as a percent, we have x/y=(x/y×100)%Example : 1/4=(1/4×100)%=25%

If the price of a commodity increases by R%, the reduction in consumption so as not to increase the expenditure = [R/(100+R)×100]%

If the price of a commodity decreases by R%, the increase in consumptions o as not to decrease the expenditure = [R/(100?R)×100]%

If the population of a town = P and it increases at the rate of R% per annum, then Population after n years = P((1+R)/100))n

If the population of a town = P and it increases at the rate of R% per annum, then Population before n years = P((1+R)/100))n

If the present value of a machine = P and it depreciates at the rate of R% per annum,

Then Value of the machine after n years = P((1-R)/100))n

If the present value of a machine = P and it depreciates at the rate of R% per annum,

Then Value of the machine before n years = P((1-R)/100))n

Solved Examples

SSC Level 1

1. If A = x% of y and B = y% of x, then which of the following is true?

A. None of these

B. A is smaller than B.

C. Relationship between A and B cannot be determined.

D. If x is smaller than y, then A is greater than B.

E. A is greater than B.

Answer by SSC Masters : Option A

Explanation by SSC Masters :

A = xy/100 ………….(Equation 1)

B = yx/100……………..(Equation 2)

From these equations, it is clear that A = B

2.If 20% of a = b, then b% of 20 is the same as:

A. None of these

B. 10% of a

C. 4% of a

D. 20% of a

Answer by SSC Masters : Option C

Explanation by SSC Masters :

20% of a = b

=> b = 20a/100

b% of 20 = 20b/100=(20a/100) × 20/100

=(20×20×a)/(100×100)=4a/100 = 4% of a

3.Two numbers A and B are such that the sum of 5% of A and 4% of B is two-third of the sum of 6% of A and 8% of B. Find the ratio of A : B.

A. 2 : 1

B. 1 : 2

C. 1 : 1

D. 4 : 3

Answer by SSC Masters : Option D

Explanation by SSC Masters :

5% of A + 4% of B = 2/3(6% of A + 8% of B)

5A/100+4B/100=2/3(6A/100+8B/100)

?5A+4B=2/3(6A+8B)

?15A+12B=12A+16B

?3A=4B

?AB=43?A:B=4:3

4.The population of a town increased from 1,75,000 to 2,62,500 in a decade. What is the average percent increase of population per year?

A. 4%

B. 6%

C. 5%

D. 50%

Answer by SSC Masters : Option C

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Increase in the population in 10 years = 2,62,500 – 1,75,000 = 87500

% increase in the population in 10 years = (87500/175000)×100=8750/175=50%

Average % increase of population per year = 50%/10=5%

5.Three candidates contested an election and received 1136, 7636 and 11628 votes respectively. What percentage of the total votes did the winning candidate get?

A. 57%

B. 50%

C. 52%

D. 60%

Answer by SSC Masters : Option A

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Votes received by the winning candidate = 11628

Total votes = 1136 + 7636 + 11628 = 20400

Required percentage = (11628/20400)×100=11628/204=2907/51=969/17=57%

6.A fruit seller had some oranges. He sells 40% oranges and still has 420 oranges. How many oranges he had originally?

A. 420

B. 700

C. 220

D. 400

Answer by SSC Masters :Option B

Explanation by SSC Masters :

He sells 40% of oranges and still there are 420 oranges remaining

=> 60% of oranges = 420

?(60×Total Oranges)/100=420

?Total Oranges/100=7

? Total Oranges = 7×100=700

7.A batsman scored 110 runs which included 3 boundaries and 8 sixes. What percent of his total score did he make by running between the wickets?

A. 499/11 %

B. 45 %

C. 500/11 %

D. 489/11 %

Answer by SSC Masters : Option C

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Total runs scored = 110

Total runs scored from boundaries and sixes = 3 x 4 + 8 x 6 = 60

Total runs scored by running between the wickets = 110 – 60 = 50

Required % = (50/110)×100=500/11%

8.What percentage of numbers from 1 to 70 have 1 or 9 in the unit’s digit?

A. 2023%

B. 20%

C. 21%

D. 2223%

Answer by SSC Masters :Option B

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Total numbers = 70

Total numbers in 1 to 70 which has 1 in the unit digit = 7

Total numbers in 1 to 70 which has 9 in the unit digit = 7

Total numbers in 1 to 70 which has 1 or 9 in the unit digit = 7 + 7 = 14

Required percentage = (14/70)×100=140/7=20%

SSC Level 2

1.In an election between two candidates, one got 55% of the total valid votes, 20% of the votes were invalid. If the total number of votes was 7500, what was the number of valid votes that the other candidate got?

2.In a competitive examination in State A, 6% candidates got selected from the total appeared candidates. State B had an equal number of candidates appeared and 7% candidates got selected with 80 more candidates got selected than A. What was the number of candidates appeared from each State?

A. 8200

B. 7500

C. 7000

D. 8000

Answer by SSC Masters : Option D

Explanation by SSC Masters :

State A and State B had an equal number of candidates appeared.

In state A, 6% candidates got selected from the total appeared candidates

In state B, 7% candidates got selected from the total appeared candidates

But in State B, 80 more candidates got selected than State A

From these, it is clear that 1% of the total appeared candidates in State B = 80

=> total appeared candidates in State B = 80 x 100 = 8000

=> total appeared candidates in State A = total appeared candidates in State B = 8000

3.In a certain school, 20% of students are below 8 years of age. The number of students above 8 years of age is 2/3 of the number of students of 8 years of age which is 48. What is the total number of students in the school?

A. 100

B. 102

C. 110

D. 90

Answer by SSC Masters : Option A

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Let the total number of students = x

Given that 20% of students are below 8 years of age

then The number of students above or equal to 8 years of age = 80% of x —–(Equation 1)

Given that number of students of 8 years of age = 48 —–(Equation 2)

Given that number of students above 8 years of age = 2/3 of number of students of 8 years of age

=>number of students above 8 years of age = (2/3)×48=32—–(Equation 3)

From Equation 1,Equation 2 and Equation 3,
80% of x = 48 + 32 = 80

?80x/100=80

?x100=1?x=100

4.In an examination, 5% of the applicants were found ineligible and 85% of the eligible candidates belonged to the general category. If 4275 eligible candidates belonged to other categories, then how many candidates applied for the examination?

A. 28000

B. 30000

C. 32000

D. 33000

Answer by SSC Masters : Option B

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Let the number of candidates applied for the examination = x

Given that 5% of the applicants were found ineligible.

It means that 95% of the applicants were eligible (? 100% – 5% = 95%)

Hence total eligible candidates = 95x/100

Given that 85% of the eligible candidates belonged to the general category

It means 15% of the eligible candidates belonged to other categories(? 100% – 85% = 15%)
Hence Total eligible candidates belonged to other categories

=(total eligible candidates×15)/100=(95x/100)×(15/100)

=(95x×15)/(100×100)

Given that Total eligible candidates belonged to other categories = 4275

?(95x×15)/(100×100)=4275

?(19x×15)/(100×100)=855

?(19x×3)/(100×100)=171

?(x×3)/(100×100)=9

?x/(100×100)=3

?x=3×100×100=30000

5. A student multiplied a number by 3/5 instead of 5/3.What is the percentage error in the calculation?

A. 64%

B. 32%

C. 34%

D. 42%

Answer by SSC Masters :Option A

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Let the number = 1

Then, ideally he should have multiplied 1 by 5/3.

Hence the correct result was 1 x (5/3) = (5/3)

By mistake, he multiplied 1 by 3/5.

Hence the result with the error = 1 x (3/5) = (3/5)

Error = 5/3?3/5=(25?9)/15=16/15

percentage error = (Error/True Value)×100={(16/15)/(5/3)}×100

=(16×3×100)/(15×5)=(16×100)/(5×5)=16×4=64%

6. The price of a car is Rs. 3,25,000. It was insured to 85% of its price. The car was damaged completely in an accident and the insurance company paid 90% of the insurance. What was the difference between the price of the car and the amount received ?

A. Rs. 76,375

B. Rs. 34,000

C. Rs. 82,150

D. Rs. 70,000

Answer by SSC Masters :Option A

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Price of the car = Rs.3,25,000

Car insured to 85% of its price

=>Insured price=(325000×85)/100

Insurance company paid 90% of the insurance
?Amount paid by Insurance company =(Insured price×90)/100

=325000×(85/100)×(90/100)=325×85×9=Rs.248625

Difference between the price of the car and the amount received

= Rs.325000 – Rs.248625 = Rs.76375

7. If the price of petrol increases by 25% and Benson intends to spend only an additional 15% on petrol, by how much % will he reduce the quantity of petrol purchased?

8. 30% of the men are more than 25 years old and 80% of the men are less than or equal to 50 years old. 20% of all men play football. If 20% of the men above the age of 50 play football, what percentage of the football players are less than or equal to 50 years?

A. 60%

B. 70%

C. 80%

D. 90%

Answer by SSC Masters :Option C

Explanation by SSC Masters :

Let total number of men = 100

Then

80 men are less than or equal to 50 years old

(Since 80% of the men are less than or equal to 50 years old)

=> 20 men are above 50 years old (Since we assumed total number of men as 100)

20% of the men above the age of 50 play football

?Number of men above the age of 50 who play football = (20×20)/100=4

Number of men who play football = 20 (Since 20% of all men play football)
Percentage of men who play football above the age of 50 = (4/20)×100=20%

=>Percentage of men who play football less than or equal to the age 50 = 100%?20%=80%